Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions, and the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her digestive symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 12, 2010 because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, right tibial periostitis, and left tibial periostitis are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to loud noises, including an explosion during his active duty service, which resulted in current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and COPD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to exposure to noise in service, while his COPD may be related to exposure to chemicals or cold weather during service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing it manifested during service or within one year of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the left shoulder, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the left shoulder claim, and that there was not enough evidence to establish a current disability or link to service for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss in the left ear, and tinnitus have been granted service connection. However, additional development is needed to determine the existence and etiology of hypertension, right hand disorder, TBI, bilateral eye disorder, and neck disorder.,Hypertension has not yet been determined as incurred in service due to lack of definitive evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities, including cardiac disability, shoulder and ankle disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disability, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of tinnitus is dismissed. The claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability is allowed, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of a rating in excess of 50 for PFB and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The TDIU claim is intertwined with the PFB claim. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the current severity of the Veteran's skin disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted an increased rating to 70 percent prior to August 25, 2015 and TDIU was granted prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.